Judicial candidates spar over fundraiser

Friday

Aug 3, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 3, 2012 at 7:53 AM

Two Monroe County judicial candidates are taking verbal swings at each other after one filed an official complaint with the State of Michigan against the other over a fundraising event at a local restaurant.

Ray Kisonas

Two Monroe County judicial candidates are taking verbal swings at each other after one filed an official complaint with the State of Michigan against the other over a fundraising event at a local restaurant.

Ronald J. Benore Jr. claims in his complaint filed with the Michigan Secretary of State that his opponent, Jarod M. Calkins, violated two sections of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act when a money-raising event was held a Buffalo Wild Wings on July 9. Both men are pursuing a seat on Monroe County?s 38th Circuit Court bench.

Mr. Benore claims that patrons who attended the event were not officially identified as campaign financial contributors and thus were considered anonymous. He also stated that rules prohibit candidates from accepting campaign contributions from corporations.

Mr. Calkins was angered with the allegations made by Mr. Benore and said he was confident the complaint will be dismissed once he responds to the Bureau of Elections.

?I am extremely upset that Ron Benore would stoop to such a level,? Mr. Calkins said. ?This is the most despicable example of dirty politics I have ever witnessed. Mr. Benore should be ashamed of himself.?

Mr. Benore answered by stating that Mr. Calkins is trying to become a judge and should know the rules that he is expected to uphold in the court of law if he were to be elected. Both men are attorneys.

?He is a judicial candidate and should know better,? said Mr. Benore, who is an assistant Monroe County prosecutor. ?I don?t like people who don?t play by the rules.?

In the complaint dated July 26 the bureau of elections states that Mr. Calkins has 15 business days to respond to the accusations. It states that violations against the Michigan Campaign Finance Act could lead to criminal prosecution.

The letter states that anonymous contributions could be considered a misdemeanor offense that carries a penalty of up to 90 days in jail. Accepting donations from a corporation could lead to felony charges punishable by up to three years in prison.

Mr. Calkins said he has done nothing wrong and plans to prove it. On the night of the event the restaurant agreed to pay 20 percent of the night?s receipts. He was told that amount would be $509 but he has not received any of it.

He also explained that contributions under $20 do not have to be reported. If the state determines that he cannot accept money from the event, Mr. Calkins said he will simply tell the restaurant to keep the money or donate it to charity. He believes that will satisfy the state.

?I expect the state to dismiss this,? Mr. Calkins said. ?(The restaurant) never gave me the money anyway.?

Mr. Calkins and Mr. Benore are challenging incumbent Circuit Judge Daniel S. White for his seat. A fourth candidate is Cheryl R. Sweeney. On Tuesday, the two candidates who receive the most votes will challenge each other in November?s general election for the judge?s position.

Mr. Calkins said he believes the filing of the complaint is an effort to smear his character several days before voters head to the polls in the primaries.

?It?s childish and extremely unprofessional,? Mr. Calkins said. ?You win an election running a clean campaign and having solid community reputation not by slander and cheap political tricks.?

Mr. Benore countered: ?This is a judge?s race and it is a major deal. This is someone who knows the law. He should know the rules.?

In the letter, the Department of State confirmed it received a formal complaint filed by Mr. Benore and offered Mr. Calkins a chance to respond in writing, which he says he plans to do.

?It is important to understand that the Department is neither making this complaint nor accepting the allegations as true,? the letter stated.

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